One for the Ladies
The idea of a "lady's/ladies" watch is anathema to me.
There are combinations of smaller and/or #pink and/or bejeweled watches and there are watches that are larger, and/or not pink and/or not blinged out. What you wear is up to you.
Besides which, it wasn't until Monsieur #cartier came along that men actually started wearing wristwatches anyway...
That said, these two examples are known as #ladies #divers and so, I refer to them as such because that is the way most people (including the manufacturer) refer to them.
While a lot of watches marketed at women have sometimes been inferior or blinged-out versions of larger, male-oriented pieces, #seiko never went down that route, producing numerous examples of ladies diver watches that incorporated smaller (as opposed to inferior) versions of movements found in the larger (male) versions. Take for example the 2205-0769:
[Source]
If you didn't know it had a diameter of 33mm, you'd be convinced it's #asymetrical #cusion case was almost #willard-esq in appearance. And indeed, the 2205 calibre is sometimes referred to as the "baby 6105" [1]. The 2205 by the way, is a hi-beat 28,800 bph calibre - not a slouch at all.
My May 1981 4205-0140 comes (black dial, right) comes to me recently serviced but with something of a suspicious backstory by the looks of it (frankenwatch? Probably), because, for a start, the rotor looks a bit sketchy. I'm not sure if laser engraving in 1981 was on par with today's efforts, but I swear the rotor should say "Seiko" on it.
That, and the God-awful plastic (yes plastic) 3rd party strap point to a certain level of dodginess. But who am I to complain? Especially for less than $90 Ameribucks.
4205 specs
Diameter: 33mm without crown
38mm lug-to-lug
17mm lug width
13mm thick
Movement: Seiko 4205 #automatic
17 jewels, 21,600 bph (6 bps)
No hacking
Bi-directional 60-click #bezel
And especially when my darling wife has absconded with my #quartz 2625-0010 (orange dial, left):
This March 1983 2625 has a much more impressive provenance, purchased from my guy.
2625 specs
Diameter: 33.5mm without #crown
37mm lug-to-lug
17mm lug width
11mm thick
Movement[2]: Seiko 2625 quartz, 2 jewels, 32,768 Hz.
Mono-directional 60-click bezel
I love both of the so-called "ladies divers" since they are sit on my 7.0" wrist so well, weigh almost nothing compared to say, my #kingturtle and are hardly the kind of afterthought more modern female-orientes/marketed watches seemingly are sometimes.
They're crafted with the same attention to detail Seiko pours into their watches with tiny details like embossed hour markers and gorgeous hands you'd expect on a #turtle or a willard.
Now if I can only get the orange one back from my wife.
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[1] Although you'd have to be a serious movement nerd to do that!
Raconteur, budding collector and man about town. I buy watches because they're shiny.
Cartier may have made the first production wrist watches for men, but necessity made them common. Men started wearing wrist watches in large numbers during WWI, because they were a practical way to read the time while working and wearing layers.
As to your point about "men's" and "women's" watches, they get labelled that way, because almost everything people wear is labelled that way. Culturally men and women tend to dress differently, and have different tastes. Watches that are designed to be appealing to women are labelled as "women's", watches that are primarily designed to appeal to men are labelled "men's"... If you like a "women's" watch, buy it and wear it.
As for why women's watches aren't flogged as much as men's, it comes down to what people buy. Men tend to buy one or two accessory types(rings, watches, chains), women buy many(necklace/chain, rings, bracelets, purses/hand bags, shoes, scarves, watches, etc...). It's like asking why aren't there more men's designer bags? Because men don't tend to buy many...
Cartier may have made the first production wrist watches for men, but necessity made them common. Men started wearing wrist watches in large numbers during WWI, because they were a practical way to read the time while working and wearing layers.
As to your point about "men's" and "women's" watches, they get labelled that way, because almost everything people wear is labelled that way. Culturally men and women tend to dress differently, and have different tastes. Watches that are designed to be appealing to women are labelled as "women's", watches that are primarily designed to appeal to men are labelled "men's"... If you like a "women's" watch, buy it and wear it.
As for why women's watches aren't flogged as much as men's, it comes down to what people buy. Men tend to buy one or two accessory types(rings, watches, chains), women buy many(necklace/chain, rings, bracelets, purses/hand bags, shoes, scarves, watches, etc...). It's like asking why aren't there more men's designer bags? Because men don't tend to buy many...
All your points are 💯. By contrast, maybe my points weren't 😫.
I guess what I'm saying is I'm impressed that #seiko identified a market segment for which there were few options for the consumer and rather than pay lip service to it, went and made a series of really good watches to meet that demand.
Interestingly, Seiko's lady diver's disappeared by the 1990s (as far as I am aware), so perhaps the market segment wasn't as robust as initially thought.
All your points are 💯. By contrast, maybe my points weren't 😫.
I guess what I'm saying is I'm impressed that #seiko identified a market segment for which there were few options for the consumer and rather than pay lip service to it, went and made a series of really good watches to meet that demand.
Interestingly, Seiko's lady diver's disappeared by the 1990s (as far as I am aware), so perhaps the market segment wasn't as robust as initially thought.
I think you raised a great point about watch size, and wearing what you prefer. I also prefer watches that are sub 40mm, and lugs that don't extend all the way to the edges of my 7" wrist.
With watch sizes trending downward these days we might see more watches like the 37mm Longines Legend Diver pop up, that suit both women and men.
I agree with you about the size, you really don't need a clock strapped to your wrist. Like you I also like watches that sub 37mm (mostly because of my skeleton lab wrists) if I wear anything above that size feels like I'm compensating for something and lugs that don't go past my wrist.
Categorize something like a women's or men's watch is most of the time ridiculous as you wear whatever you like, in my case I'm rocking a Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz in a 33mm case which is the women's version but I really like vintage size and everyone complements for my size decision as opposed to "duh big watch big status big money". I'm really glad that the sizes are trending downward.
To add I'm looking for one of these to restore and probably use as an actual dive watch for pool and beach trips but so far I'm out of luck. If I may add something those are some nice watches.
I agree with you about the size, you really don't need a clock strapped to your wrist. Like you I also like watches that sub 37mm (mostly because of my skeleton lab wrists) if I wear anything above that size feels like I'm compensating for something and lugs that don't go past my wrist.
Categorize something like a women's or men's watch is most of the time ridiculous as you wear whatever you like, in my case I'm rocking a Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz in a 33mm case which is the women's version but I really like vintage size and everyone complements for my size decision as opposed to "duh big watch big status big money". I'm really glad that the sizes are trending downward.
To add I'm looking for one of these to restore and probably use as an actual dive watch for pool and beach trips but so far I'm out of luck. If I may add something those are some nice watches.
I've picked up the Pepsi and the black and gold guilt models since I wrote this post just one more to go - the JDM version - and I have the whole set.
I've picked up the Pepsi and the black and gold guilt models since I wrote this post just one more to go - the JDM version - and I have the whole set.
Unfortunately I don't know much about these models, just that the Pepsi and black version exist but is the first time I hear about a JDM version. I will try and find one of them if not well, a modern reinterpretation will have to suffice.
I wish you luck on your hunt.
Unfortunately I don't know much about these models, just that the Pepsi and black version exist but is the first time I hear about a JDM version. I will try and find one of them if not well, a modern reinterpretation will have to suffice.
I wish you luck on your hunt.
So I now have these three
And this is the JDM
But I forgot the rare Green one:
So, 2 more to get 🤪
So I now have these three
And this is the JDM
But I forgot the rare Green one:
So, 2 more to get 🤪
Holy Moly, I really didn't know that many different versions exist. Like I said I whish you luck on your hunt for those 2 left so you can have the full family photo.
Those are some excellent looking watches. I really hope I can find either the automatic or the quartz almost new or at least good condition so I can send it to my watchmaker to restore and/or test then so then can one again fulfill its purpose as divers.
So I now have these three
And this is the JDM
But I forgot the rare Green one:
So, 2 more to get 🤪
After a deep search through the Internet, I've came across this ones:
Seiko 2625-0010 (Orange model)
Seiko 2625-0010 (Orange model) belongs to my uncle and unfortunately doesn't work after putting a new battery. I don't know the problem but perhaps a broken shaft as the one you linked or a short-circuit. Good to tinker with or take it to a watchmaker to restore, but have to look for a modern replacement movement instead of an original, just in case.
Seiko 2625-0010 (Black model)
Seiko 4205-0140 (Black model) same as your "Willard"supposedly fully restored but a visit to a watchmaker would not hurt, especially to test its water resistance.
Citizen EP6051-14L (Blue model) modern reinterpretation of the automatic with eco-drive.
What do you think of my options, I feel like I should make a post about this instead of make a comment.